July Honest Slate by Honest Weight Food Co-op

Honest

SLATE

HWFC’s community newsletter

July 2019

Published monthly by the Communications Committee To promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community among Membership • Staff • Management • Governance Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/

In this issue: •Stay vigilant behind the wheel en route to and from Honest Weight: see page 3. •Yes, seedless watermelon is indeed organic; plus, we’re not kidding about plastic: on page 6...

and much more!

CONTENTS The ABCs of CBD (part 2).......... 2 Commute with Care................ 3

new: Up Front

at Board Meetings.................. 3 Center Store Delivers Manager’s Specials...............4-5 Q&A/Suggestion Box .............. 6 Committee Corner: 8 progress reports .................. 7 Do We Owe You? ................... 8 Board Decisions....................... 8 Letter to the Editors................ 8 An Alzheimer’s Primer............ 9 Care to Share? MO News ..... 10 honestslate@honestweight.coop

https://www.honestweight.coop/

Honest Slate

along the

aisles:

July 2019

The Whys and Hows of CBD by Alex Mytelka

Last month, we gave a brief overview of CBD (cannabidiol) and discussed CBD as a sales trend at the Co-op. If you missed that article—to summarize, in an average week, CBD sales currently make up over ¼ (~$12k) of our entire supplement department sales. (Wow!) This month, we’ll take a deeper dive into some of the “whys and hows” of CBD.

Why are people taking CBD? Of the

hundreds of cannabinoids identified in the cannabis plant (others include THC, THCA, CBDA, CBN, and CBG), CBD is under intense study right now thanks to its potential to offer relief from symptoms related to a wide variety of conditions. The list of potential uses is long and wide-reaching: stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, seizures, insomnia, pain reduction, arthritis, inflammation, and even acne. From Co-op customers, the most popular inquiries seem to be related to stress, anxiety and inflammation-related pain.

Why is it so popular all of a sudden?

Good question. For over 4 years, we’ve sold one CBD product (Charlotte’s Web, one of the most popular brands nationally) in the form of hemp extract. It held its own in the supplement aisle, but it wasn’t a top seller by any means until about a year ago. It is safe to say that we are in the midst of a “hemp renaissance.” Medical and recreational marijuana are being legalized across the nation state by state, and the entire cannabis culture is becoming increasingly normal-

ized. For those who want to experience the potential health benefits of cannabis without the sensation THC provides of being “stoned,” CBD may just be the perfect choice.

how do you use CBD? Similar to its

cousin THC, there are many ways to us e CBD. The first major distinction—and where we usually begin with consumers—is between topical and internal use. Topical CBD is an excellent choice for inflammation-related pain in targeted areas. For nearly all other uses, you’ll want to take CBD internally. The most popular delivery method by a wide margin is the liquid extract. As a liquid, you can easily manage your dosage and tweak it to figure out what works well for you. Liquids can be added to teas, coffees, smoothies, etc. Capsules are available for those with that preference, offering a more controlled and flavorless dose. Food and beverages infused with CBD, labeled with supplement facts rather than nutrition facts, are becoming increasingly popular.

What product should I choose?

how do I know which product to

choose? This is a question that can’t be answered in an article—because it relates directly to your individual needs! With such limited research available, there are no recommended dosages.

What doses are recommended? Of the 12 brands we currently carry in liquid extract form, recommended dosages range from 1 mg all the way up to 64 mg. Our go-to answer is “start low and slow.” Many consumers are eager to start with the highest dosage product we have to offer, when in reality, their needs may very well be served by a much smaller dosage and a much less expensive option. As always, the best choice is to stop by the Wellness counter and chat with one of our Staff or Member-Owners!

Our go-to answer is:

Start low and slow.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

up front at Owners joining Honest Weight are encouraged to attend at least one Board meeting to see how things work on the Governance side of the Co-op. At every Board meeting an agenda lists discussion topics. Those present pick up and follow along using copies of the Board packet, neatly organized and collated by Board administrator Tyler Varese, who provides documentation. Of course, not everyone has the time, inclination or mobility to visit. So, like agenda packets, one of Honest Slate’s responsibilities is to communicate timely and important information. Meetings, announcements, Board decisions and Membership news all fall neatly under that umbrella; and of course any newsletter transmits facts in black and white—literally and figuratively. Occasionally, however, we like to show you a richer spectrum. Keep reading.

did you know

Honest Slate

July 2019

The intersection of Watervliet Avenue Extension and Everett Road tops all other local crossroads in red-light camera violations, according to a June 23, 2019 Times Union article. Statistics gathered over a three-year period (2015-2018) revealed the corner as the number one locality in the city of Albany for recorded (and ticketed) red-light running.

Board Meetings

printed pages typically don’t convey the shades of color—those moments during monthly Governance gatherings that remind us why we belong to a Co-op: productive discussion, thoughtful dialogue, respectful collaboration—and simply real-time ambience. Such was my experience at the meeting of Tuesday, July 2. I’ve attended HWFC Board meetings over several years, first as an interested MO and now as a committee representative. Of course there has been occasional controversy, even discord. What struck a chord for me this month was a sense of unity not always manifested so tangibly.

Up Front

is a new occasional feature. Since meetings run several hours, much business transpired after I left at around 8:45 p.m. so I can’t vouch for room temperature after that point. Nevertheless, what I did witness inspires me to share.

This junction leading directly to I-90 is familiar to many Honest Weight community members. Be sure to come to a full stop before turning right on red; stay alert; don’t race the yellow light, and get your groceries home safely, as well as yourselves. The good news: since red-light camera installation, the number of accidents at this corner has dropped by 10% over the last five years. More at: https://www.timesunion.com/ news/article/Top-red-light-camera-intersections-by-violations-14029275.php

key dialogue

transpired while I was there. Discussion was too complex to go into detail here, but all meeting minutes record decisions and can be read on HWFC’s website once approved. I will not paint an overly rosy portrait in hopes of enticing Member-Owners (MOs) to attend more meetings; nor will I judge those who simply are not interested. Rather, I will state that when a Board member spoke about a proposed recording of meetings, the conversation that ensued was one of the most civil I have ever witnessed. Even when feelings emerged, MOs in the room rose to the occasion, taking the high road and working together to move the conversation along. On another topic, a Member-Owner introduced the concept of a more collaborative approach between employees and management. Again, any apparent disagreements and all questions were framed respectfully. Most significantly, strong participation among attendees informs and enhances discussion. Feedback from membership is critical to the Board of Directors. It identifies what we want, pinpoints how we feel about issues, and reveals our hopes and ideas for the Co-op. Its wonderful when we all cooperate for the greater good— abiding by our mission and values. Governance is not for everyone; we all choose our own type of involvement here. Whether you dig documentation or stock shelves, chop cheddar or crunch numbers, it is all of equal value to our community. I’m just reporting from where I sit, up front.

—Carol Ostrow

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

July 2019

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Manager’s Specials Arrive! Small cards bring big savings

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o you keep seeing little signs when browsing Honest Weight’s aisles? No, not the kind that demonstrate universal synchronicity or direct foot traffic. We mean those small, distinctive new red & white cards lining our shelves and sporting a “Manager’s Special” tagline.

Our products are grouped by department. All non-Grocery areas—Produce, Bulk, Cheese & Specialty, Meat & Fish, Food Services and our Front End—encircle the perimeter. Wellness is located along interior aisles and is classified within the Grocery department.

If the placards haven’t yet caught your eye, here’s why you should look for them; how they signal smart shopping, and the reasons they mean a big win for the Co-op.

Since Grocery covers such a wide array of products—canned, jarred, boxed and bottled groceries; dairy, and frozen foods— Honest Weight refers to interior aisle areas as the Center Store.

Everywhere are signs. Shoppers are likely already familiar with longtime “Co+op Basics” products and regularly displayed Co-op Deals. How are Manager’s Specials different? Honest Slate sat down with Grocery Buyer David Aube to learn about a new program conceived to publicize exceptional in-house bargains.

Manager’s Specials have been years

in the making. They have evolved from a scrawny handwritten card to a laminated, computer-generated product-defined sign bearing a Manager’s Specials banner. HWFC works with several industry partners, including NCG (National Co+op Grocers), UNFI (United Natural Foods Inc.), brokers, sales reps, vendors both large and small, and other distributors.

NCG is like a co-op of co-ops. NCG is one major partner for HWFC. You’ve likely seen their distinctive logo bearing the plus sign on store products, ads and bi-weekly flyers. NCG’s longtime Co+op Basics program enables HWFC to carry the popular Field Day brand with “everyday low prices.” Many other independent grocery stores also carry the Field Day line.

What is the Center Store?

How Brokering Works A broker represents many companies, bringing attractive high-volume opportunities to the table: some are temporary, others ongoing. Typical deals can be 10 cases for 10% off or 20 for 20%. Instead of working with non-negotiable amounts, brokers and buyers can initiate discussion, generating deep discounts for the Co-op. Buyers can make an initial offer based on historical sales data; the broker brings it back to the vendor; and they come to a mutual agreement. Brokers are paid directly by the vendors.

NCG negotiates on behalf of its co-op members to make deals with national vendors and manufacturers. NCG has also negotiated a five-year contact with UNFI to act as our primary distributor; this contract in turn allows the Co-op a volume discount on UNFI-distributed products.

How are Manager’s Specials developed? Grocery buyers meet with our industry partners (brokers, reps, distributors) various ways: at the store or trade shows, over the phone, via email, etc. Discounts can run very deep; and the fact that they are variable enables a unique synergy between parties. Most significantly for Honest Weight, it lets the Center Store reduce shelf prices without reducing its profit margin. continued on page 5

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

July 2019

• Definitions of Co-op promotional programs:

The beauty of brokering: Brokers are coming from a place “where your interests are exactly aligned.” The trust level far exceeds conventional retail relationships.

• Co+op Basics: House Brand, comprising of Field Day and a few national brands, sold to independent stores • Co+op Deals: Deals negotiated by National Grocers Association (NCG) on behalf of its co-op members with national vendors and manufacturers. Advertised through the biweekly “Great Deals” sales flyer. These products provide the foundation of the Endcap displays, representing a very deep discount and a lower margin for the store.

continued from page 4

David, who regularly acts as an advisor to other store personnel, also praised the positive reputation which Honest Weight has garnered on a national level, affirming that it boils down to business savvy, appeal, and attitude; he also acknowledges that Honest Weight simply “sells a lot of product.”

• Fresh Deals: A weekly flyer focusing on the perimeter depts. Meat, produce, cheese and bulk. Negotiated by coop staff mostly with local suppliers and direct distributors. • Manager’s Specials: Promotions throughout the Grocery Dept.

negotiated by Co-op staff with brokers, sales reps and local vendors. The intent is to keep the discount over a long time period and maintain standard store margin.

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The top three national food retailers are Walmart, Whole Foods, and NCG.

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• Owners-only Local Specials: A 5% discount to owners on hundreds of local products throughout the store.

“We try to work towards and demonstrate affordability while still paying the bills,” David stated. “The goal is to reduce price points whenever, and as permanently, as possible,” he continued. Since people shop at other groceries in addition to Honest Weight, it boosts incentive to spend their dollars here whenever items go for lower prices than elsewhere. When Honest Weight gets a vendor deal, it lowers shelf prices with Manager’s Specials.

• Coupons: On a select number of products; part of the Co+op Deals program; good for a 2-month time period with coupon availability. There is a limit on how many coupons can be used per shopping trip (described on lower right side of coupons).

“To be honest, brokers love this store.”

For more information, visit https://www.ncg.coop/about-us and https://www.unfi.com/.

—David Aube

Manager’s Specials vs. Co+op Basics:

Manager’s Specials vs. Great Deals:

Co+op Basics’ ubiquitous and affordable Field Day products are sold at many independent grocers (including co-ops) all over the country—but, interestingly, not Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s or Price Chopper. In contrast, Manager’s Specials are unique to Honest Weight: a program conceived in-house involving multiple steps that has been several years in the making.

Both are cooperative, not competitive. However, Great Deals reflect especially deep discounts; they run for a shorter sale time period and at a lower profit margin than the Manager’s Specials. “We publicize this prominently in the bi-weekly sales flyer and endcap displays,” David explained. “The hope is to move more units of the same item since consumers tend to stock up on staples when on sale.“

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Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Q &A

From the Suggestion Box Don’t see your comment here? Check the bulletin board in the café. Q: Please sell bulk/loose spinach + spring mix greens! That’d be fantastic! A: For food safety reasons we are reluctant to offer bulk spinach and greens. We offer heads of lettuce with only a twist tie as packaging. In an effort to minimize food waste, we’ve found bagging to be the best approach. Q: Do we have a rooftop solar farm @ the Co-op? A: We do not have a rooftop solar farm. We’re currently gathering information on community solar resources. Q: Avocado on salad bar? Sandwiches? Toast?? A: We’re reluctant to offer avocado on the salad bar or our sandwich station as it does not hold up well over time. Q: The organic sugar snap peas are now loose in a bin but they are all limp and dull. They used to be fresh and crisp? A: Please let us know if they look subpar. We’ll bring more out and refresh the stock. We are reducing plastic. Q: How can a seedless watermelon be organic? It’s genetically modified by definition… A: Sterile offspring of two different species have existed since the dawn of life on earth. There is no gene modification involved in producing seedless fruit in the USA. No certified organic crop is permitted to be genetically modified. Editors’ Note: Seedless watermelons were developed in 1939 in Japan, employing a technique used by ancient Egyptians. Some liken it to the cross-breeding of horses and donkeys resulting in mules—which are sterile, but definitely not GMO. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon]

July 2019

Honest Slate Q: No plastic! NO PLASTIC!  A: We are involved in NCG (National Cooperative Grocers) efforts to eliminate worldwide plastic waste. Q: The ramp-pesto grilled cheese sandwich was delicious! Could you please add it to the regular menu? Thanks! A: We’re glad you liked it. Unfortunately there is a short window of opportunity as the growing season is short and has now passed. Q: Brittany in Produce is so hardworking, yet she always takes the time to say hello and giggle. She is a wonderful employee. A: Yah she is! She’s really great. We’re happy that she’s been with us for over 5 years. Q: Please make it so buffalo seitan & cauliflower is available for purchase more often!



A: Buffalo seitan & cauliflower is one of our staples and we do our best to keep it available at all times. Q: Very sad to hear you’re no longer carrying Teahive cheese. I’d always stop here to pick some up whenever I’m in the area! Please bring it back? A: We are working on bringing Teahive back in. It is the most popular of the Beehive line. We hope to receive it for sale pre-wrapped in smaller packages soon. Q: I would appreciate it if the [Plants] Dept. would put out signage telling customers that they don’t have to bring plants into the store to pay for them. Cashiers then have to look up the numbers. Customers put the plants on the belt + get it all dirty. Thank you! A: There are signs. We’ll review their placement.

Q: Please sell toothpaste tabs—They are a great [product] + reduce packaging. A: We are working on bringing in toothpaste tabs. We hope to receive them soon. Q: Please only use whole grain pasta in your prepared salads + have 100% whole grain bread for your sandwiches. A: We’ll look into integrating more whole grain pastas into our recipes. We’ll look into 100% whole grain for sandwiches. Q: I took $50 worth of your gluten-free cookies to a party + they were a HUGE HIT. Thank you!!! P.S. You should have a box next to your suggestion box for compliments. A: We’re glad you enjoyed them! Feel free to leave compliments here too. Q: I know you aim to accommodate all tastes, but I’ve noticed a trend toward more and more meat and fish on the hot bar. [One day] there were a meat main, a fish main and black bean with bacon. Without the bacon the beans could have been enjoyed by everyone. Please consider this. A: OK

Q: Thanks to the person who

keeps this suggestion board current. And for the responses from the Co-op, too.

You’re very welcome! We appreciate your patience as we work on those that have not been posted with responses. Q: Organic celery for 2nd visit in a row is horrible—discolored—grown in poor soil. A: Organic celery has been poor on a nationwide level for nearly 3 months now. We hope we are coming out of this time of record high...shortages due to increased demand as well as erratic growing conditions.

Q: My favorite cashiers are Mo, Michelle, Frank + Kathy. A: Yeah, we think they all provide synergistic benefit to our Co-op.

Q: Eggplant on Hot Bar [Saturday 06-08] was delicious! A: Great! Glad you liked it.

Q: Get halva. A: We carry a Halva by Alkanater with our chocolate bars. It is immediately below the Alter ego Truffles.

Q: How about offering ‘grilled salmon’ on the Hot Bar or in the deli case? A: We’ve been working on bringing in various fish and will keep your suggestion in mind.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

July 2019

Honest Slate

COMMITTEE C O R N E R This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for the July 2, 2019 Board meeting. See the Board meeting packet for details. Full committee reports are routinely posted and available on the HWFC website upon Board approval.

HWFC Meeting Summaries Sales and Fiscal Performance •For the period July 2018 to May 2019 compared to the same period 2017-2018, Sales were up 4%; Cost of Goods were up 3.88%; and Overall Gross Profit was up 4.24% at $432,705 (or 1.36% over budgeted $10,492,209). Expenses were up $470,529 or 5.16% to $9,590,180 v. $9,119,651 last year ($43,213 increase). Net Income increased by 20.81%. Finance Committee •Submitted FY 2019-20 Work Plan to the Board including a Governance Development Workshop on Finance. Membership Committee (MC) •Discussed Committee Fairs at Membership meetings & Committee Collaboration class. •Recapped Staff/MO BBQ; set up tabling/ info sessions and prepared vote presentation for revisions to Member-Owner Manual; continued Manual revisions; and welcomed new member Paul Cronin. •Requested BOD consider including Committee Fairs before future Membership Meetings (would make committees more tangible and provide an activity before Membership Meetings). Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) •Updating Meat and Poultry Policy for the Food and Products Manual. Will meet with Meat Department staff and HWFC management for comments before finalizing recommended changes to the Board and Membership. Environment Committee (EC) •Presented to BOD a case for practical, greener alternatives rather than relying solely on diesel generator for backup power. Board approved EC proposal with “friendly” amendments.

by Stephanie Conde

•Researched backup power options, including costs and savings (National Grid’s curtailment program and account demand data; Tesla’s storage batteries; generator specifications; NYSERDA’s advice on subsidy programs, energy storage contractors, and other resources). Provided NYSERDA staff with data for analysis and advisement on HWFC’s energy usage. •Plans energy conservation assessment in July to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use without affecting store function (thus reducing size/cost of diesel generator). A building monitor was installed to determine details of HWFC’s energy use. A related report and recommendations for backup power (including costs, rebates, tax credits and aligned with the Co-op’s mission) will be delivered to the Board (approx. late Aug.). •Two EC Members were invited to GRC’s meeting and shared details on the committee’s work on backup power. • Submitted an article on backup power to Honest Slate. •Community solar opportunities are being reviewed. •Zero Waste work continues. Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC) •Drafted and finalized ballots for membership approval of FY 2019-20 proposed budget and changes to Member-Owner Manual. •Discussed recruitment of new members for ENC, Board, and GRC, i.e. Governance Review Council (future Governance Workshop session and recording session content for distribution; recruitment during new member orientations; organizing a short set of recruitment-related slides and displaying before Membership Meetings reach quorum; new activities to educate voters on evaluating candidates; encouraging Board members to routinely share at Membership

7 Meetings what good governance means to them; including a recruitment topic on each Membership Meeting Agenda; and ensuring staff is included in calls for candidates). ○ Requested BOD: approve one future governance workshop; recruit other committees to plan and sponsor governance-related workshops; approve a board recruitment presentation for Jan. 2020 Membership Meeting; include (during welcome at each Membership Meeting) a current Board Member sharing a brief, inspiring invitation to participate in governance positions; and task Board Members with identifying potential future Board Members. •To ensure ballot boxes are opened in a timely manner visible to members, proposed: ensuring a knowledgeable ballot box crew chief direct the process; gathering ballot box holders and related Member-Owners before 6pm to ensure ballot boxes are assembled and properly located before quorum; and requesting the “ballot boxes are open” announcement be accompanied by a “Ballot Boxes are Open” slide (displayed between each presentation and Q&A). •In July, members will begin preparing an Elections and Nominations handbook with checklists and documents used to conduct HWFC elections. Personnel Committee (PC) •Revision of Employee Manual’s disciplinary process continues. •Revision of Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Policy continues. Decided to remove Board Members and “any” manager when employees request a facilitator to address interpersonal conflicts; suggested specifying “their” manager as an option. •Upcoming plans include: finalizing changes to Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Policy, sending documents to non-native speakers for review (Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Policy, Performance Improvement and Progressive Corrective Discipline Policy and Employee Grievance Procedure); updating PC’s Standing Operating Procedures; and updating Attendance Policy. Communications Committee (CC) •Addressed Honest Slate circulation, presented at June Membership Meeting, reviewed platforms/surveys and related plans. •CC membership increased to 10 with editorial and tech support skills.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Honest Slate

letter to the editors

The Co-op has money waiting for a number of

individuals who we cannot find. If you or anyone you know appears on the following list, the Finance Department urges you to contact the Co-op at your earliest convenience at: finance@honestweight.coop. Elias Saifan Druis Beasley Joseph Gietl Shavon Taylor Nishi Beharry Lauren Holden Kimberly Truitt Gillian Eastwood Mark Pranys Elizabeth Yoquint Eva Foitzik Lily Ringler Daren Zal

I am a new member and attended my

Unclaimed

first membership meeting tonight. I enjoyed your presentation. I like Honest Slate and appreciate your hard work that helps make this fine publication possible.

Funds

I was able to find the online version of Honest Slate tonight after the meeting, and I took a look at it. I am old-fashioned, I suspect, but I like the hard copy best. I grew up reading newspapers and find it easier and more enjoyable to read a hard copy of a newsletter than an online version. Thanks for asking for member opinions.

After the Cake contest at the May 30 Staff & MemberOwner BBQ, we had several requests for the winning cake recipes. Stephen Piorkowski from our Deli’s Bakery, who won first place for the evening group, was very happy to oblige and relayed that he is happy to give baking advice or tips to anyone with questions.

All the best, Connie Stephano

“I like the hard copy best.” Editors’ reply: Thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind compliments. The Communications Committee warmly encourages and appreciates feedback. We’re glad to have you at Honest Weight and thank you for being with us at the June Membership meeting. It is a vibrant place!

Here is Stephen’s winning Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake recipe complete with Nutrition Facts: https://savorthebest.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-layer-cake/cookbook-print/16303/#

July editors + contriibutors David Aube Yevette Buddeau Stephanie Conde Avery Cotton Erin Donahue

Kim Fujioka Elisa Grimm Don Kennison Annette Kramer Alex Mytelka

Lorraine Orsini Carol Ostrow Olivia Pettit Janet Sorell Tyler Varese

Suibmissions Policy We welcome articles & contributions. Maximum length for contributions is 500 words. Material is published at the discretion of the Honest Slate team; only signed work is accepted. Items are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Material deemed controversial in nature shall be reviewed before publishing. Writers must substantiate claims with facts and avoid inflammatory language; articles regarded as harmful to individuals will be returned to the writer for non-personal rephrasing.

July 2019

Articles relating to HWFC policies and practices will be referred to the appropriate individual or body prior to publication. We will consider unsolicited material but encourage individuals to submit ideas or outlines first. Letters to the Editors do not require approval. Spontaneously submitted articles are not guaranteed for time investment or acceptance and are subject to the same editing practices as assigned work. Contact honestslate@honestweight.coop with questions, comments or suggestions.

Board Meeting Decisions HWFC’s Board of Directors approved the following at the 6 p.m. Board Meeting July 2, 2018: ● A proposal to amend the April 2019 Board Meeting Minutes. ● Proposed revisions to the Environment Committee workplan. ● The proposed Finance Committee workplan. ● Requests made by the Elections & Nominations Committee to assist in the recruitment of new Committee members, Board candidates, & GRC (Governance Review Council) candidates.

Statement of Purpose: Honest Slate is a platform for HWFC Membership, Staff, Management and Governance: promoting transparency, reporting news without bias and sustaining community. Honest Slate articles are for informational purposes and are not intended to diagnose or treat disease. Opinions expressed in Honest Slate do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Honest Slate or Honest Weight Food Co-op. All contents ©2019 Honest Weight Food Co-op; no material appearing in Honest Slate may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of HWFC.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

July 2019

Alzheimer’s: The Ten Warning Signs A Co-op class led by Molly McCann from the Alzheimer’s Association By Kim Fujioka Do you sometimes lose or forget things? When rushing out the door to the car, do you suddenly realize you left your cell on the kitchen table only 5 minutes ago? What about emerging from your favorite coffee shop, walking toward your usual parking spot but not finding your car? These instances are both common and humorous, but they are not signs of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. We all know someone with Alzheimer’s or who has a family member with Alzheimer’s, however; and the image it conjures in our minds can be terrifying. How do we know whether what we experience is a commonplace lapse in memory characteristic of aging or an early sign of Alzheimer’s? The Alzheimer’s Association’s Molly McCann led a “Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” class at Honest Weight this year, teaching participants to differentiate between typical aging signs and those signaling Alzheimer’s—because on the surface they appear similar. Attendees entered the Community Room to discover folders with brochures and presentation material on every chair. The provided literature was geared towards family members to understand their role in identifying loved ones’ forgetful or unusual behavior. While it is the medical professional who diagnoses the disease, the aware and educated family and community can assume a helper role to better match loved ones with local resources. •One in 10 Americans over 65 has Alzheimer’s; 2 out of 3 are women. •Of all Americans age 85 and up, 38% have it Alzheimer’s. •Of all Americans between ages 75 and 85, 44% have Alzheimer’s.

Honest Slate

1. Memory Loss: Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s. However, forgetting then being able to remember it later is a sign of age-related memory loss. 2. Challenges in planning or problem-solving: Difficulty developing or following a plan; e.g., a favorite recipe or monthly bills; more pronounced than age-related challenges or occasional mistakes. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks: e.g., trouble driving to a familiar location; not remembering the rules of a favorite game. 4. Confusion with time or place: losing track of dates, seasons, even the passage of time. Forgetting one’s location and how one got there. However, forgetting the day of the week but remembering it later is typically age-related. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: difficulty driving, reading, judging distance or determining color and contrast. Alternatively, typical age-related difficulties may signal cataracts. 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: joining a conversation is difficult. Losing track of a conversation; repeating oneself; struggling for the right words. However, being able to choose another appropriate word is typically age-related. 7. Misplacing things: putting objects in unusual places; losing items, unable to recall one’s activities that day and unable to retrace steps; even accusing others of stealing. However, with typical age-related difficulties, a person who loses things can retrace steps to locate later. 8. Decreased or poor judgment; changes in decision-making. E.g.: giving away huge sums of money; neglecting personal grooming. 9. Withdrawal from work or social activities; trouble keeping up with hobbies. 10. Changes in mood and personality: People living with Alzheimer’s can become confused and suspicious. They can be easily upset at home, at work or in social settings. A prevalent disease in our society, Alzheimer’s affects not only the patient but the family as a unit and society as a whole. The informative, well-organized class targeted those seeking information to better understand confusing behavior and distinguish between normal aging and Alzheimer’s. Molly described her experiences working with families of Alzheimer’s patients and introduced the Garcia family, who shared concerns about a member experiencing daily living problems. Several dementia experts led a discussion to assist the Garcias in understanding their loved one, followed by slides echoing the Garcias’ situation to instruct the audience in recognizing Alzheimer’s warning signs and its impact on the family. Molly elaborated on how relatives can ap-

proach a family member with Alzheimer’s symptoms; summarized ways to handle it; and in conclusion, shared resources offered through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s Association Resources •Call the 24/7 helpline: 800-272-3900 •Visit the website: https://alz.org/ •Use the Alzheimer’s Navigator to help assess your needs and create an action plan. https://www.alzheimersnavigator.org/ •Free online workshops Living with Alzheimer’s: for People with Alzheimer’s & for Caregivers: https://training.alz.org/

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

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July 2019

Memiber-Owner Announcements

Happy beautiful summer everyone! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the June 23 Membership Meeting at the Ramada! Many people helped with setting up and maintaining the meeting, and many people came to attend and be part of the ongoing conversation—and ALL are greatly appreciated! Here are some reminders and opportunities for everyone as we move through these summer days at the Coop together. While July and August are some of the most common months for vacations, we hope that everyone will treat their weekly and monthly time investment commitments as important factors in their planning. If you must miss a shift, please give your department as much advance notice as possible so they can cover your shift and meet the business demands of our bustling marketplace. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes to all of your shifts at the Co-op or you will be asked to clock out and leave your time-investment shift, resulting in loss of hours. Text alerts, text alerts, text alerts! Please sign up for text alerts with the Co-op! When an emergency comes up at the Co-op, like an unscheduled store closing due to weather or power outage, the closing and re-opening are communicated first via our text alert system. This is not used for sales or promotions. To sign up for text alerts from HWFC, send your name, owner number, and cell service carrier (ATT, Verizon, etc) to Dave@honestweight.coop or Memberservices@honestweight.coop.

We’re looking for people who love facilitating and teaching to help out at the Co-op. We would like to have an informational gathering where a Member-Owner who is experienced in facilitation comes to talk about how they do it. This could be in the form of a scheduled class or a planned visit to the interested committees—creative thinking is encouraged here! Many of us would love to grow in our ability to facilitate in a group setting, like a membership meeting, and we would be grateful to the community of trained facilitators who are Member-Owners if we could host an opportunity to share in their knowledge. Reach out to memberservices@honestweight.coop if you would like to come and share your skills. The Membership Committee is accepting feedback from Member-Owners about the Member-Owner Manual at this time. If you have ideas about the Member-Owner Manual, please email membershipcomm@honestweight. coop or visit the committee meeting during their open comment period on the second Monday of the month from 5:30 – 6 pm in the Teaching Kitchen. Our committee meeting calendar can be found on the website here: https:// www.honestweight.coop/page/committee-meeting-calendar-322.html. Are you interested in good and robust Member-Owner run governance at the HWFC? Consider running for the Governance Review Council (GRC) in October 2019. It’s not too early to start thinking about how YOU can fit into the dynamic way we work together to

Interested in joining the Honest Weight Food Co-op Team as an Employee? Check out our Employment Page. keep our cooperative community vibrant through active participation in our governance. Start asking questions now! Come to a Board or GRC meeting and get to know your representatives. Contact information and meeting times for our governing bodies are posted on the website under the membership tab at https://www. honestweight.coop/page/committees-of-the-board-14.html. Outreach has announced the fiscal year’s first-quarter Enviro Tokens recipients—keep these groups in mind as you do your part to reduce waste by bringing in your reusable bags when you shop, and drop a five-cent token into the organization of your choice for each cloth bag you reuse at the Co-op. For the July 1 through September 30 donation period, our supported organizations will be: •GLSEN https://www.glsen.org •The Albany Damien Center http://www.albanydamiencenter.org

•The Radix Center https://radixcenter.org

•Commission on Economic Opportunity https://www.ceoempowers.org

•Oakwood Community Center www.oakwoodcommunitycenter.org.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop